Domestic Abuse, Personal Statement

[athenalux]

Hi all,

Currently, I'm working on a secondary and I'd like to state that I have unique insight into some of the underserved populations I've volunteered with due to my childhood history of domestic abuse. However, I absolutely do not want my paper to read like a sob story. The point is to exemplify my ability to empathize, not garner attention. Do you believe adding this into my paper will provide support for my statement, or simply comes across like a low ploy?

Thank you.

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[rafflecopter]

I mentioned the illness and death of my mother to show how I can relate to patients and empathize with them. It's all in the approach, you've gotta emphasize what you learned instead of how "horrible it was."

 

[Neurocentric]

I mentioned the illness and death of my mother to show how I can relate to patients and empathize with them. It's all in the approach, you've gotta emphasize what you learned instead of how "horrible it was."

Agree with this. You sort of want to mention the abuse in passing, and then elaborate on how your situation will help you be more empathetic to others who may or may not have experienced the same thing.

 

[LizzyM]

If you do so, be absolutely sure that the name of your abuser is not on your appliction. I was horrified to see an essay about a family scandal that implicated a prominent professional in the community (the applicant's dad). Dad's name was right there on the AMCAS application and the secondary was full of trash talk about him... 😱

Your application is confidential but it is possible that people who know your family might see it. That can be embarrassing for the reader.

 

[athenalux]

Thank you for your great advice on this delicate matter. I do think I will include it, I'll just make sure to emphasize the positive outcomes rather than painful beginnings.

And I can't believe someone listed a name! Yikes!

 

[LizzyM]

Thank you for your great advice on this delicate matter. I do think I will include it, I'll just make sure to emphasize the positive outcomes rather than painful beginnings.

And I can't believe someone listed a name! Yikes!

Most applicants have filled in the section about mom & dad's names, alma maters, professions, etc. The secondary is separate but at my school we read both.

 

[dre2011]

i agree that it would have to be approached by emphasizing that it's something you learned from and not a pity play. i also have experience with domestic abuse and i did mention it in my personal statement because it is something that has influenced my desire to be a doctor, but I mad sure that it was not the main point in my essay and I made it something that I learned from, not something that I still dwell over. hope this helps and good luck!!

 

[crixx]

I think it will be powerful as long as you sound genuine. You may even want to take a fairly vague approach: "...because of my own experiences with domestic abuse..." Just be careful with your wording so it doesn't sound like you're trying to garner pity

 

[CYP4a]

Don't make the assumption that just because you were under-served and had domestic abuse everybody else who is under-served also had domestic abuse. The two do not always go hand in hand and a lot of people will get offended if you generalize. Make it seem like your situation was unique and absolutely do not generalize. Nobody cares what happened to your family they care what you learned from it and how you will use that in your career in medicine. Not to sound harsh but imagine how many they read you have to make it the best.

I'm sure they can smell bull**** a mile away. PM it to me if you want me to take a look.